Dominic Riordan was just three years old when he donned the No1 bib to support his mother at Wollongong’s first Mother’s Day Classic in 2002.
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On Sunday, Dominic will again be at his mother’s side alongside his elder siblings Edward and Gerald at the annual fun run/walk to raise funds for breast cancer research. And he’ll still be wearing the No1 bib.
His mother Dr Margaret Gardiner is the Illawarra ambassador for the National Breast Cancer Foundation and helped establish the Wollongong event.
First diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000, Dr Gardiner is still battling the disease after secondary cancer was discovered in her lung and bones four years ago.
‘‘Last November I was told it was moving again and am now in my fourth round [of treatment] with a new research drug,’’ she said.
‘‘At first you’re shattered to learn you have more secondaries but then comes a new drug and your hopes rise again – knowing that research is advancing every day really gives you the courage to go on.’’
Dr Gardiner said she hoped the forecast fine weather for Sunday would result in record numbers taking part in this year’s event which kicks off at Stuart Park, North Wollongong, at 9am.
‘‘Our theme is ‘strength not surrender’,’’ she said. ‘‘The day is to give love to the people who have lost someone; to give courage to people going through breast cancer treatment and to forward research into finding a cure.’’
For Dr Gardiner, Mother’s Day is the perfect day for the event.
‘‘I have three sons and I fundraise for them, because I don’t want them to have wives or daughters go through what I have,’’ she said.
‘‘My youngest Dominic tells me he doesn’t remember a time when we weren’t fund-raising, and that’s great.’’
All proceeds from the Mother’s Day Classic are donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
‘‘Breast cancer research focuses on hormonal cancers so if we can find a cure for breast cancer, we’ll also have a cure for prostate and ovarian cancer,’’ Dr Gardiner said.
Online registration for the Wollongong event has closed but people can still register at Horizon Credit Union, Athletes Foot Wollongong or any Anytime Fitness – or at the event itself from 7.30am.
